Launched with Checkoff funds in 2015, SHIC works to protect and enhance the health of the U.S. swine herd. This is done through coordinated global disease monitoring, targeted research investments that minimize the impact of future disease threats and analysis of swine health data.
The investment brings direct value back to producers through SHIC’s animal health research priorities.
“SHIC provides value to the entire pork industry through targeted disease research programs,” says Gene Noem, NPB president and SHIC board member. “Specifically, SHIC is able to conduct and source research for emerging health issues from a network of academia, veterinary service and diagnostic labs and researchers across the globe.”
Key SHIC Programs
“In the very short time we’ve been in existence, we have come to play such a vital role in helping defend the health of our industry. Since receiving initial funding from the National Pork Board, we have filled a void and been very successful. We’re committed to protecting the U.S. pig population,” said SHIC Board chair and owner of AMVC Daryl Olsen, DVM.
SHIC has also been involved in foreign animal disease (FAD) work, including a Biosecurity Risk Assessment. Released in September 2021 and conducted by EpiX Analytics, LLC, this report looked at eight potential pathways and found no major areas have been overlooked to prevent the introduction of African swine fever (ASF) to the U.S. The study also identified other vulnerabilities for the pork industry to continue working to address. This includes areas such as feed ingredients being imported from ASF-positive countries and illegal or out-of-regulatory-compliance garbage feeding.
For feed risk to be approached with sound science, SHIC has pursued both research and information. These projects include viral survivability in feed ingredient research, half-life estimates for ASF and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) leading to holding time information, documenting sources and quantities of imported feed ingredients and continuing to gather information that can help fill gaps in risk assessments.
SHIC is governed by a Board of Directors and functions with two Working Groups. These swine disease experts include practitioners, diagnosticians, academicians, producers, and other industry experts. SHIC Executive Director Paul Sundberg, DVM, Ph.D., DACVPM, guides the Center’s work, which is informed by an annual Plan of Work. SHIC is focused on domestic and global emerging swine disease. Due to the Center’s organization, it can move quickly on needed research, diagnostics and response.